Method for modulating expression of specific protein using specific transcription factor, isoprenoid-producing plant having transgene encoding specific transcription factor, and method for producing polyisoprenoid using isoprenoid-producing plant

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for enhancing the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. The present invention further provides isoprenoid-producing plants having an enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, and methods for producing a polyisoprenoid using such an isoprenoid-producing plant. The present invention relates to methods for regulating the expression of specific protein(s) by a specific transcription factor; isoprenoid-producing plants into which has been introduced a gene encoding a specific transcription factor; and methods for producing a polyisoprenoid using such an isoprenoid-producing plant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of copending application Ser. No. 14/758,166, filed on Jun. 26, 2015, which is the National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2014/050176, filed on Jan. 9, 2014, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No. 2013-002918, filed in Japan on Jan. 10, 2013, Patent Application No. 2013-043212, filed in Japan on Mar. 5, 2013, and Patent Application No. 2013-043213, filed in Japan on Mar. 5, 2013, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods for regulating the expression of specific protein(s) by a specific transcription factor; isoprenoid-producing plants into which has been introduced a gene encoding a specific transcription factor; and methods for producing a polyisoprenoid using such an isoprenoid-producing plant.

BACKGROUND ART

Nowadays natural rubber (one example of polyisoprenoids) for use in industrial rubber products can be harvested from rubber-producing plants, such as Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber tree) belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, or Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree) belonging to the family Moraceae.

At present, Hevea brasiliensis is practically the only one source of natural rubber for industrial rubber products. Hevea brasiliensis is a plant that can grow only in limited areas such as in Southeast Asia and South America. Moreover, Hevea brasiliensis requires about seven years from planting to mature enough for rubber extraction, and the period during which natural rubber can be extracted is limited to 20 to 30 years. Although more natural rubber is expected to be needed mainly by developing countries in years to come, for the reason mentioned above it is difficult to greatly increase the production of natural rubber using Hevea brasiliensis. Depletion of natural rubber sources is therefore of concern, and there are needs for stable natural rubber sources other than mature Hevea brasiliensis and for improvement in productivity of natural rubber from Hevea brasiliensis.

For example, an approach to improve productivity of natural rubber from Hevea brasiliensis is to extract more latex to produce more natural rubber. Specifically, such methods include a method of stimulating the trunk of rubber trees with ethylene or ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid); and a method of promoting laticifer differentiation by lanolin containing jasmonic acid, linolenic acid which is a precursor of jasmonic acid, or the like (see, for example, Non Patent Literature 1).

Unfortunately, if the method of increasing latex production via ethylene stimulation is applied to the trunk for a long term, then cracks may easily be formed in the bark. In addition, the aim of the ethylene stimulation is to allow latex to exude more smoothly from laticifers and is not to directly improve the tree's ability to produce latex. Therefore, this method provides only a limited and insufficient increase in latex production.

Although jasmonic acid or the like can be used to promote laticifer formation and thereby increase the number of laticifers, this method also has the problem that latex exuding from laticifers can coagulate at the cuts during the collection of latex by tapping, and therefore the produced latex may not be sufficiently collected.

Moreover, some factors, including light responses, wound responses, and cold treatment, are known to affect polyisoprenoid biosynthesis. However, it is not known specifically which transcription factor is activated in such a response to regulate polyisoprenoid biosynthesis.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

Non Patent Literature 1: Hao et al., Annals of Botany, 2000, Vol. 85, pp. 37-43

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention was made to overcome the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide methods for enhancing the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Further objects of the present invention are to provide isoprenoid-producing plants having an enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, and methods for producing a polyisoprenoid using such an isoprenoid-producing plant.

Solution to Problem

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for regulating by a Dof transcription factor the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein.

Preferably, the method includes introducing a gene encoding the Dof transcription factor into a host to regulate the expression of the protein in the host.

The gene is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5.

The method is preferably used to enhance the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein, and more preferably to enhance the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein.

The Dof transcription factor is preferably any of the following proteins:

[1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6;

[2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6; and

[3] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6.

The host is preferably an isoprenoid-producing plant.

The first aspect of the present invention also relates to an isoprenoid-producing plant, into which has been introduced a gene encoding a Dof transcription factor.

The gene is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5.

The first aspect of the present invention further relates to a method for producing a polyisoprenoid using the isoprenoid-producing plant.

The second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for regulating the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase by an Myb transcription factor.

Preferably, the method includes introducing a gene encoding the Myb transcription factor into a host to regulate the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase in the host.

The gene is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29.

The method is more preferably used to enhance the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase.

The Myb transcription factor is preferably any of the following proteins:

[1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30;

[2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30; and

[3] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30.

The host is preferably an isoprenoid-producing plant.

The second aspect of the present invention also relates to an isoprenoid-producing plant, into which has been introduced a gene encoding an Myb transcription factor.

The gene is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29.

The second aspect of the present invention further relates to a method for producing a polyisoprenoid using the isoprenoid-producing plant.

The third aspect of the present invention relates to a method for regulating the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase by a basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor.

Preferably, the method includes introducing a gene encoding the bHLH transcription factor into a host to regulate the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase in the host.

The gene is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44.

The method is more preferably used to enhance the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase.

The bHLH transcription factor is preferably any of the following proteins:

[1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, 43, or 45;

[2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, 43, or 45; and

[3] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, 43, or 45.

The host is preferably an isoprenoid-producing plant.

The third aspect of the present invention also relates to an isoprenoid-producing plant, into which has been introduced a gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor.

The gene is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40, 42, or 44; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44.

The third aspect of the present invention further relates to a method for producing a polyisoprenoid using the isoprenoid-producing plant.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The method of the first aspect of the present invention, which is a method for regulating by a Dof transcription factor the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein, is capable of enhancing the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the first aspect of the present invention, into which has been introduced a gene encoding a Dof transcription factor, has an overall enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. The use of the isoprenoid-producing plant in the production of polyisoprenoids increases polyisoprenoid production.

Since the method of the second aspect of the present invention is a method for regulating by an Myb transcription factor the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase that is a rate-limiting factor in the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway, which is upstream in the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, the method enhances the rate-limiting step of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) biosynthesis in the MVA pathway, so that the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway can be suitably enhanced. Moreover, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the second aspect of the present invention, into which has been introduced a gene encoding an Myb transcription factor, has a suitably enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. The use of the isoprenoid-producing plant in the production of polyisoprenoids increases polyisoprenoid production.

Since the method of the third aspect of the present invention is a method for regulating by a basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase that is a rate-limiting factor in the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway, which is upstream in the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, the method enhances the rate-limiting step of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) biosynthesis in the MVA pathway, so that the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway can be suitably enhanced. Moreover, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the third aspect of the present invention, into which has been introduced a gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor, has a suitably enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. The use of the isoprenoid-producing plant in the production of polyisoprenoids increases polyisoprenoid production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a part of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Aspect of the Present Invention

The present inventors have studied various ways to enhance the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. FIG. 1 shows a part of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. There are two known pathways, the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway (cytosol MVA pathway as shown in FIG. 1) and the MEP pathway (plastidial DXP pathway as shown in FIG. 1), for biosynthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), which is an important member of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway.

The present inventors focused on the MVA pathway which is a common pathway that supplies IPP in rubber latex synthesis, and selected, from various proteins involved in the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, some proteins that are expected to have important roles in view of enhancing the entire pathway enclosed in the dotted line in FIG. 1 or the entire downstream pathway.

Specifically, the following four proteins were selected: hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) that is a rate-limiting factor in the MVA pathway, which is a pathway to IPP biosynthesis; isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPP isomerase) that is involved in isomerization of IPP; cis-prenyltransferase that is thought to be involved in isoprenoid chain elongation; and small rubber particle protein (SRPP) that is known to be involved in polyisoprenoid biosynthesis.

In order to simultaneously regulate the expression of the four proteins, that is, to comprehensively regulate the expression of the four proteins, the present inventors sought a transcription factor capable of regulating (or comprehensively regulating) the expression of all the four proteins. Specifically, DNA fragments from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis which contain genes encoding the four proteins (the amino acid sequences of cis-prenyltransferase, HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, and SRPP are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:8, 10, 12, and 14, respectively) (the base sequences of the genes encoding cis-prenyltransferase, HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, and SRPP are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:7, 9, 11, and 13, respectively) and their promoter regions were cloned (see EXAMPLES for details). The base sequences of the resulting DNA fragments were analyzed to reveal the base sequences of the promoter regions of the genes encoding the proteins.

Additionally, the revealed base sequences of the promoter regions of the four proteins were analyzed using a plant promoter database (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory DNA elements (PLACE)). The analysis revealed that the sequences contain a lot of Dof transcription factor binding sites, and all the promoter sequences of the four genes analyzed are similarly rich in the DOFCOREZM (AAAG) motif to which Dof transcription factors bind. The number of DOFCOREZM motifs is the highest for HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, and SRPP, and the third highest for cis-prenyltransferase, among the transcription factor binding motifs found in each case.

These results strongly suggest that Dof transcription factors are transcription factors capable of regulating the expression of all the four proteins, or in other words, transcription factors that can regulate the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Then, a validation test using yeast cells was performed to confirm that the expression of the four proteins is enhanced by the use of Dof5.4 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Dof5.4 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:1 and 2, respectively), Dof2.2 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Dof2.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:3 and 4, respectively), or Dof5.3 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Dof5.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:5 and 6, respectively) among Dof transcription factors.

As described above, the present inventors have found that Dof transcription factors are capable of comprehensively enhancing the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and SRPP, and thus can enhance the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Another finding is that since the Dof transcription factors can enhance the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, an isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding such a Dof transcription factor can be used in the production of polyisoprenoids to increase polyisoprenoid production.

Theoretically, it is desirable to enhance the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, cis-prenyltransferase and SRPP while suppressing the expression of IPP isomerase. However, although the Dof transcription factors enhance the expression of IPP isomerase as well as the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, cis-prenyltransferase and SRPP, polyisoprenoid production can be successfully increased because the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is enhanced.

As used herein, “hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase)” is a rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonic acid pathway and is intended to include both hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (NADPH) (EC 1.1.1.34) and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.88).

As used herein, “isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPP isomerase)” is an enzyme that catalyzes the isomerization between isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and its isomer, dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP).

As used herein, “cis-prenyltransferase” is an enzyme that catalyzes cis-chain elongation of isoprenoid compounds.

As used herein, “small rubber particle protein (SRPP)” is a small rubber particle-associated protein which is associated with small rubber particles of 10 μm or less in diameter in the latex of Hevea brasiliensis or the like.

The method of the first aspect of the present invention is a method for regulating by a Dof transcription factor the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein.

The Dof transcription factor is not particularly limited, as long as it is a transcription factor that contains a C2C2 zinc finger DNA binding domain (Dof domain). Examples include Dof5.4 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Dof5.4 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:1 and 2, respectively), Dof2.2 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Dof2.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:3 and 4, respectively), Dof5.3 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Dof5.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:5 and 6, respectively), Dof1, and Dof4.6.

The term “transcription factor” as used herein refers to a protein having an activity of increasing or decreasing the rate of transcription of a gene or genes.

The origin of the Dof transcription factor is not particularly limited, but the Dof transcription factor is preferably a transcription factor from Hevea brasiliensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Parthenium argentatum, Taraxacum koksaghyz, or Arabidopsis thaliana.

(Amino Acid Sequence of Dof Transcription Factor)

The following protein [1] is a specific example of the Dof transcription factor:

[1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6.

Moreover, it is known that some transcription factors have transcription factor activity even when one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, or additions are introduced into their original amino acid sequences. Considering this fact, another specific example of the Dof transcription factor is the following protein [2]:

[2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6.

The term “transcription factor activity” as used herein refers to an activity of increasing or decreasing the rate of transcription of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of genes encoding hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 61, still more preferably 1 to 46, particularly preferably 1 to 31, most preferably 1 to 15, even most preferably 1 to 6, and still even most preferably 1 to 3.

Also for maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 68, still more preferably 1 to 51, particularly preferably 1 to 34, most preferably 1 to 17, even most preferably 1 to 7, and still even most preferably 1 to 3.

Also for maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 51, still more preferably 1 to 39, particularly preferably 1 to 26, most preferably 1 to 13, even most preferably 1 to 5, and still even most preferably 1 to 3.

Among other amino acid substitutions, conservative substitutions are preferred. Specific examples include substitutions within each of the following groups in the parentheses: (glycine, alanine), (valine, isoleucine, leucine), (aspartic acid, glutamic acid), (asparagine, glutamine), (serine, threonine), (lysine, arginine), (phenylalanine, tyrosine), and the like.

The amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions are preferably introduced into regions other than Dof transcription factor activity domains, binding domains that bind to transcription factor binding sites, and other important portions involved in transcription factor activity. Those skilled in the art can appropriately identify such domains by homology analysis with known Dof transcription factors.

It is also known that some proteins with amino acid sequences having high sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of a transcription factor also have similar activity. Considering this fact, another specific example of the Dof transcription factor is the following protein [3]:

[3] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, or 6 is preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, still more preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably at least 98%, and most preferably at least 99%.

The sequence identity between amino acid sequences or base sequences may be determined using the algorithm BLAST® [Pro. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 5873 (1993)] developed by Karlin and Altschul or FASTA [Methods Enzymol., 183, 63 (1990)].

Whether a protein has transcription factor activity may be determined by conventionally known techniques, such as gel shift assays, or reporter assays using a reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or the like.

The Dof transcription factor is preferably any of the following proteins:

[1-1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 4;

[2-1] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 4; and

[3-1] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 4.

The Dof transcription factor is more preferably any of the following proteins:

[1-2] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

[2-2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and

[3-2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

(DNA Encoding Dof Transcription Factor)

Moreover, the DNA encoding the Dof transcription factor may be either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5.

In this context, the term “hybridizing” means a process in which the DNA hybridizes to a DNA having a particular base sequence or a part of the DNA. Thus, the DNA having a particular base sequence or part of the DNA may have a base sequence long enough to be usable as a probe in Northern or Southern blot analysis or as an oligonucleotide primer in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The DNA used as a probe may have a length of at least 100 bases, preferably at least 200 bases, and more preferably at least 500 bases although it may be a DNA of at least 10 bases, and preferably of at least 15 bases in length.

Techniques to perform DNA hybridization experiments are well known. The hybridization conditions under which experiments are performed may be determined according to, for example, Molecular Cloning, 2nd ed. and 3rd ed. (2001); Methods for General and Molecular Bacteriology, ASM Press (1994); Immunology methods manual, Academic press (Molecular); and many other standard textbooks.

The stringent conditions may include, for example, an overnight incubation at 42° C. of a DNA-immobilized filter and a DNA probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, 5×SSC (750 mM sodium chloride and 75 mM sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5× Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 μg/l denatured salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the filter for example in a 0.2×SSC solution at approximately 65° C. Less stringent conditions may also be used. Changes in the stringency may be accomplished through the manipulation of formamide concentration (lower percentages of formamide result in lower stringency), salt concentrations or temperature. For example, low stringent conditions include an overnight incubation at 37° C. in a solution containing 6×SSCE (20×SSCE: 3 mol/l sodium chloride, 0.2 mol/l sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.02 mol/l EDTA, pH 7.4), 0.5% SDS, 30% formamide, and 100 μg/l denatured salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing in a 1×SSC solution containing 0.1% SDS at 50° C. Moreover, to achieve even lower stringency, washes performed following hybridization may be done at higher salt concentrations (e.g. 5×SSC) in the above-mentioned low stringent conditions.

Variations in the above various conditions may be accomplished through the inclusion or substitution of blocking reagents used to suppress background in hybridization experiments. The inclusion of blocking reagents may require modification of the hybridization conditions for compatibility.

The DNA capable of hybridization under stringent conditions as described above may be a DNA having a base sequence that has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 98%, and particularly preferably at least 99% sequence identity to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or 5 as calculated using a program such as BLAST® or FASTA with the parameters mentioned above.

Whether the DNA capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to the DNA mentioned above encodes a protein with transcription factor activity may be determined by conventionally known techniques, such as gel shift assays, or reporter assays using a reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or the like.

The DNA encoding the Dof transcription factor is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1-1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or 3; and

[2-1] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or 3.

More preferred is either of the following DNAs:

[1-1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; and

[2-1] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

The Dof transcription factor and the DNA encoding the Dof transcription factor may be obtained by site-directed mutagenesis of, for example, the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5 (the base sequence of Dof5.4 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of Dof2.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of Dof5.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana) according to site-directed mutagenesis techniques described in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1987-1997); Nucleic Acids Research, 10, 6487 (1982); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 79, 6409 (1982); Gene, 34, 315 (1985); Nucleic Acids Research, 13, 4431 (1985); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 488 (1985), etc.

(Transformant)

The gene encoding the Dof transcription factor can be introduced into a host to create an organism (transformant) that is transformed to express the Dof transcription factor. Then this transformant expresses the Dof transcription factor, which regulates (enhances) the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein (preferably at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein).

More specifically, it comprehensively enhances the expression of the four proteins: hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein (preferably the three proteins: hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein). Therefore, the transformant has an overall enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway and is thereby capable of producing more polyisoprenoids.

The following briefly describes how to prepare an organism (transformant) that is transformed to express a Dof transcription factor. The brief description below mainly focuses on how to prepare a transformant that is transformed to express the above-mentioned Dof transcription factor. Once a Dof transcription factor-encoding gene to be introduced has been determined, such a transformant can be prepared by conventionally known methods.

Specifically, for example, a DNA containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 5 (the base sequence of Dof5.4 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of Dof2.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of Dof5.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana) is inserted downstream of a promoter of an appropriate expression vector using appropriate restriction enzymes and the like to prepare a recombinant DNA, which is then introduced into host cells compatible with the expression vector to obtain a transformant.

Although the above description relates to the cases where a DNA containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or 5 (the base sequence of Dof5.4 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of Dof2.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of Dof5.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana) is used, DNAs encoding other Dof transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana or Dof transcription factors from organisms other than Arabidopsis thaliana may be used. In such cases, screening may be performed by known techniques, such as using a part of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 as a probe, to identify and isolate such DNAs encoding the Dof transcription factors. The method for isolating a DNA molecule of interest using a DNA molecule as a probe is described in, for example, Molecular Cloning, 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989). DNAs obtained by mutagenesis of the DNAs mentioned above may also be used.

Any of microorganisms, yeasts, animal cells, insect cells, plant cells, and the like can be used as the host (host cells), as long as they are capable of expressing a gene of interest. Since the only organisms currently known to biosynthesize polyisoprenoids are plants (isoprenoid-producing plants), the host is preferably a plant (an isoprenoid-producing plant), and the host cells are preferably plant cells (cells of an isoprenoid-producing plant). Note that if a future advance in technology allows cells other than plant cells to biosynthesize polyisoprenoids, the gene encoding the Dof transcription factor can be suitably introduced into such cells.

The isoprenoid-producing plant is not particularly limited, as long as it is capable of producing an isoprenoid. Examples include plants of the genus Hevea, such as Hevea brasiliensis; plants of the genus Sonchus, such as Sonchus oleraceus, Sonchus asper, and Sonchus brachyotus; plants of the genus Solidago, such as Solidago altissima, Solidago virgaurea subsp. asiatica, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leipcarpa, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leipcarpa f. paludosa, Solidago virgaurea subsp. gigantea, and Solidago gigantea Ait. var. leiophylla Fernald; plants of the genus Helianthus, such as Helianthus annuus, Helianthus argophyllus, Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus debilis, Helianthus decapetalus, and Helianthus giganteus; plants of the genus Taraxacum, such as Taraxacum, Taraxacum venustum H. Koidz, Taraxacum hondoense Nakai, Taraxacum platycarpum Dahlst, Taraxacum japonicum, Taraxacum officinale Weber, and Taraxacum koksaghyz; plants of the genus Ficus, such as Ficus carica, Ficus elastica, Ficus pumila L., Ficus erecta Thumb., Ficus ampelas Burm. f., Ficus benguetensis Merr., Ficus irisana Elm., Ficus microcarpa L.f., Ficus septica Burm. f., and Ficus benghalensis; plants of the genus Parthenium, such as Parthenium argentatum, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Parthenium hysterophorus; and Lactuca serriola and Ficus benghalensis. In particular, the isoprenoid-producing plant is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of plants of the genera Hevea, Sonchus, Taraxacum, and Parhenium, and more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of Hevea brasiliensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Parthenium argentatum, and Taraxacum koksaghyz.

Examples of expression vectors that can be used include vectors that are capable of autonomous replication in the host cells or of being incorporated into a chromosome thereof and contain a promoter at a position that permits transcription of the recombinant DNA.

In the case where plant cells are used as host cells, a pBI vector, a pUC vector, a Ti plasmid or tobacco mosaic virus vector, for example, may be used as an expression vector.

Any promoter that functions in plant cells can be used. Examples include cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, rice actin-1 promoter, nopaline synthase gene promoter, tobacco mosaic virus 35S promoter, and rice actin gene promoter.

Preferred are expression vectors with promoters that are specifically expressed in tissues in which isoprenoid compounds are biosynthesized, such as laticifers. If the promoters are specifically expressed in tissues in which polyisoprenoids are biosynthesized, retardation of plant growth and other adverse effects can be prevented.

The recombinant vector can be introduced by any method that allows the DNA to be introduced into plant cells. Examples include methods using Agrobacterium (JP S59-140885 A, JP S60-70080 A, WO94/00977), electroporation (JP S60-251887 A), and methods using a particle gun (gene gun) (JP 2606856 B, JP 2517813 B).

Transformants (transgenic plant cells) into which has been introduced a gene encoding a Dof transcription factor can be prepared by these methods or the like.

The first aspect of the present invention provides an isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding a Dof transcription factor. The isoprenoid-producing plant is not particularly limited, as long as it is an isoprenoid-producing plant containing the transgenic plant cells. It is intended to include, for example, in addition to transgenic plant cells prepared by the above-described methods, for example, all of their progeny or clones and even progeny plants obtained by passaging these cells. Once transgenic plant cells into which the DNA or vector has been introduced in the genome are obtained, progeny or clones can be obtained from the transgenic plant cells by sexual or asexual reproduction, tissue culture, cell culture, cell fusion, or the like. Further, the transgenic plant cells, or their progeny or clones may be used to obtain reproductive materials (e.g. seeds, fruits, cuttings, stem tubers, root tubers, shoots, adventitious buds, adventitious embryos, calluses, protoplasts), which can then be used to produce the isoprenoid-producing plant on a large scale.

Techniques to regenerate plants from transgenic plant cells are already known; for example, Doi et al. disclose techniques for eucalyptus (JP 2000-316403 A), Fujimura et al. disclose techniques for rice (Fujimura et al., (1995), Plant Tissue Culture Lett., vol. 2: p 74-), Shillito et al. disclose techniques for corn (Shillito et al., (1989), Bio/Technology, vol. 7: p 581-), Visser et al. disclose techniques for potato (Visser et al., (1989), Theor. Appl. Genet., vol. 78: p 589-), and Akama et al. disclose techniques for Arabidopsis thaliana (Akama et al., (1992), Plant Cell Rep., vol. 12: p 7-). Those skilled in the art can regenerate plants from transgenic plant cells according to these documents.

Whether a target transcription factor gene is expressed in a regenerated plant may be determined by well-known methods. For example, western blot analysis may be used to assess the expression of a target transcription factor.

Seeds can be obtained from the transgenic plant, for example, as follows: the transgenic plant is rooted in an appropriate medium and then transplanted to water-containing soil in a pot, and grown under proper cultivation conditions so as to finally produce seeds, which are then collected. Further, plants can be grown from seeds, for example, as follows: seeds obtained from the transgenic plant as described above are sown in water-containing soil, and grown under proper cultivation conditions into plants.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding a Dof transcription factor can be used in the production of polyisoprenoids to increase polyisoprenoid production. Specifically, polyisoprenoids can be produced by culturing transgenic plant cells prepared as described above, calluses obtained from such transgenic plant cells, cells redifferentiated from such calluses, or the like in an appropriate medium, or by growing transgenic plants regenerated from the transgenic plant cells, plants grown from seeds collected from such transgenic plants, or the like under proper cultivation conditions. The isoprenoid-producing plant of the first aspect of the present invention has a polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway enhanced overall by the Dof transcription factor introduced therein, and is thereby capable of producing more polyisoprenoids.

The term “polyisoprenoid” as used herein is a generic term used to refer to polymers having isoprene (C₅H₈) units. Examples of polyisoprenoids include polymers such as monoterpenes (C₁₀), sesquiterpenes (C₁₅), diterpenes (C₂₀), sesterterpenes (C₂₅), triterpenes (C₃₀), tetraterpenes (C₄₀), and natural rubber.

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention enables to regulate (enhance) by a Dof transcription factor the expression of at least one protein selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein, and thereby to enhance the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway to increase polyisoprenoid production.

Moreover, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the first aspect of the present invention into which has been introduced a gene encoding a Dof transcription factor has an overall enhanced polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. The use of the isoprenoid-producing plant in the production of polyisoprenoids increases polyisoprenoid production.

Thus, the method of the first aspect of the present invention, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the first aspect of the present invention, and the method of producing a polyisoprenoid of the first aspect of the present invention, all of which are capable of increasing polyisoprenoid production, can be effective for natural rubber source depletion that is of concern.

Second Aspect of the Present Invention

The present inventors have studied various ways to enhance the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. FIG. 1 shows a part of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. There are two known pathways, the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway (cytosol MVA pathway as shown in FIG. 1) and the MEP pathway (plastidial DXP pathway as shown in FIG. 1), for biosynthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), which is an important member of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway.

The present inventors focused on the MVA pathway which is a common pathway that supplies IPP in rubber latex synthesis, and selected, from various proteins involved in the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, some proteins that are expected to have important roles in view of enhancing the pathway enclosed in the dotted line in FIG. 1. Further, they found out that, among these proteins, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) is a rate-limiting factor in the MVA pathway.

In order to regulate the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, the present inventors then sought a transcription factor capable of regulating the expression of HMG-CoA reductase. Specifically, a DNA fragment from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis which contains a gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase (the amino acid sequence of HMG-CoA reductase is set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO:32) (the base sequence of the gene is set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO:31) and its promoter region was cloned (see EXAMPLES for details). The base sequence of the resulting DNA fragment was analyzed to reveal the base sequence of the promoter region of the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase.

Additionally, the revealed base sequence of the promoter region was analyzed using a plant promoter database (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory DNA elements (PLACE)). The analysis revealed that the sequence contains a lot of Myb transcription factor binding (recognition) sites (WAACCA, CCWACC, CANNTG).

These results strongly suggest that Myb transcription factors are transcription factors capable of regulating the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, or in other words, transcription factors that enhance the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway and can thereby suitably regulate the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Then, a validation test using yeast cells was performed to confirm that the expression of HMG-CoA reductase is enhanced by the use of Myb6 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Myb6 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:25 and 26, respectively), Myb3 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Myb3 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:27 and 28, respectively), or EPR1 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of EPR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:29 and 30, respectively) among Myb transcription factors.

As described above, the present inventors have found that Myb transcription factors can suitably enhance the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, and thus enhance the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway and can thereby suitably enhance the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Another finding is that since the Myb transcription factors enhance the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway and can thereby suitably enhance the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, an isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding such an Myb transcription factor can be used in the production of polyisoprenoids to increase polyisoprenoid production.

As used herein, “hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase)” is a rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonic acid pathway and is intended to include both hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (NADPH) (EC 1.1.1.34) and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.88).

The method of the second aspect of the present invention is a method for regulating the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase by an Myb transcription factor.

Although Myb transcription factors are classified into three major types based on the structural features, any type of Myb transcription factor can be used as long as, for example, it has the structural features of the R1R2R3 type which regulates cell proliferation by regulating cell cycles, the structural features of the R2R3 type which regulates various biological phenomena such as pigment synthesis, morphogenesis, and environmental response, or the structural features of the type having one R1-like or R3-like domain which is involved in photoregulation, morphogenesis, and diseases and disorders. Examples include Myb6 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Myb6 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:25 and 26, respectively), Myb3 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Myb3 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:27 and 28, respectively), and EPR1 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of EPR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:29 and 30, respectively).

The term “transcription factor” as used herein refers to a protein having an activity of increasing or decreasing (preferably increasing) the rate of transcription of a gene or genes.

The origin of the Myb transcription factor is not particularly limited, but the Myb transcription factor is preferably a transcription factor from Hevea brasiliensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Parthenium argentatum, Taraxacum koksaghyz, or Arabidopsis thaliana.

(Amino Acid Sequence of Myb Transcription Factor)

The following protein [1] is a specific example of the Myb transcription factor:

[1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30.

Moreover, it is known that some transcription factors have transcription factor activity even when one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, or additions are introduced into their original amino acid sequences. Considering this fact, another specific example of the Myb transcription factor is the following protein [2]:

[2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30.

The term “transcription factor activity” as used herein refers to an activity of increasing or decreasing (preferably increasing) the rate of transcription of a gene encoding hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 47, still more preferably 1 to 35, particularly preferably 1 to 24, most preferably 1 to 12, even most preferably 1 to 5, and still even most preferably 1 or 2.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 51, still more preferably 1 to 39, particularly preferably 1 to 26, most preferably 1 to 13, even most preferably 1 to 5, and still even most preferably 1 to 3.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 74, still more preferably 1 to 56, particularly preferably 1 to 37, most preferably 1 to 19, even most preferably 1 to 7, and still even most preferably 1 to 4.

Among other amino acid substitutions, conservative substitutions are preferred. Specific examples include substitutions within each of the following groups in the parentheses: (glycine, alanine), (valine, isoleucine, leucine), (aspartic acid, glutamic acid), (asparagine, glutamine), (serine, threonine), (lysine, arginine), (phenylalanine, tyrosine), and the like.

The amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions are preferably introduced into regions other than Myb transcription factor activity domains, binding domains that bind to transcription factor binding sites, and other important portions involved in transcription factor activity. Those skilled in the art can appropriately identify such domains by homology analysis with known Myb transcription factors.

It is also known that some proteins with amino acid sequences having high sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of a transcription factor also have similar activity. Considering this fact, another specific example of the Myb transcription factor is the following protein [3]:

[3] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, 28, or 30 is preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, still more preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably at least 98%, and most preferably at least 99%.

The sequence identity between amino acid sequences or base sequences may be determined using the algorithm BLAST® [Pro. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 5873 (1993)] developed by Karlin and Altschul or FASTA [Methods Enzymol., 183, 63 (1990)].

Whether a protein has transcription factor activity may be determined by conventionally known techniques, such as gel shift assays, or reporter assays using a reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or the like.

The Myb transcription factor is preferably any of the following proteins:

[1-1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or 28;

[2-1] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or 28; and

[3-1] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 or 28.

The Myb transcription factor is more preferably any of the following proteins:

[1-2] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26;

[2-2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26; and

[3-2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26.

(DNA Encoding Myb Transcription Factor)

Moreover, the DNA encoding the Myb transcription factor may be either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29.

In this context, the term “hybridizing” means a process in which the DNA hybridizes to a DNA having a particular base sequence or a part of the DNA. Thus, the DNA having a particular base sequence or part of the DNA may have a base sequence long enough to be usable as a probe in Northern or Southern blot analysis or as an oligonucleotide primer in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The DNA used as a probe may have a length of at least 100 bases, preferably at least 200 bases, and more preferably at least 500 bases although it may be a DNA of at least 10 bases, and preferably of at least 15 bases in length.

Techniques to perform DNA hybridization experiments are well known. The hybridization conditions under which experiments are performed may be determined according to, for example, Molecular Cloning, 2nd ed. and 3rd ed. (2001); Methods for General and Molecular Bacteriology, ASM Press (1994); Immunology methods manual, Academic press (Molecular); and many other standard textbooks.

The stringent conditions may include, for example, an overnight incubation at 42° C. of a DNA-immobilized filter and a DNA probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, 5×SSC (750 mM sodium chloride and 75 mM sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5× Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 μg/l denatured salmon sperm. DNA, followed by washing the filter for example in a 0.2×SSC solution at approximately 65° C. Less stringent conditions may also be used. Changes in the stringency may be accomplished through the manipulation of formamide concentration (lower percentages of formamide result in lower stringency), salt concentrations or temperature. For example, low stringent conditions include an overnight incubation at 37° C. in a solution containing 6×SSCE (20×SSCE: 3 mol/l sodium chloride, 0.2 mol/l sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.02 mol/l EDTA, pH 7.4), 0.5% SDS, 30% formamide, and 100 μg/l denatured salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing in a 1×SSC solution containing 0.1% SDS at 50° C. Moreover, to achieve even lower stringency, washes performed following hybridization may be done at higher salt concentrations (e.g. 5×SSC) in the above-mentioned low stringent conditions.

Variations in the above various conditions may be accomplished through the inclusion or substitution of blocking reagents used to suppress background in hybridization experiments. The inclusion of blocking reagents may require modification of the hybridization conditions for compatibility.

The DNA capable of hybridization under stringent conditions as described above may be a DNA having a base sequence that has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 98%, and particularly preferably at least 99% sequence identity to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25, 27, or 29 as calculated using a program such as BLAST® or FASTA with the parameters mentioned above.

Whether the DNA capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to the DNA mentioned above encodes a protein with transcription factor activity may be determined by conventionally known techniques, such as gel shift assays, or reporter assays using a reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or the like.

The DNA encoding the Myb transcription factor is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1-1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 or 27; and

[2-1] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 or 27.

More preferred is either of the following DNAs:

[1-2] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25; and

[2-2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25.

The Myb transcription factor and the DNA encoding the Myb transcription factor may be obtained by site-directed mutagenesis of, for example, the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29 (the base sequence of Myb6 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of Myb3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of EPR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana) according to site-directed mutagenesis techniques described in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1987-1997); Nucleic Acids Research, 10, 6487 (1982); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 79, 6409 (1982); Gene, 34, 315 (1985); Nucleic Acids Research, 13, 4431 (1985); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 488 (1985), etc.

(Transformant)

The gene encoding the Myb transcription factor can be introduced into a host to create an organism (transformant) that is transformed to express the Myb transcription factor. Then this transformant expresses the Myb transcription factor, which regulates (enhances) the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Consequently, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced, whereby the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Thus, it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production in the transformant.

The following briefly describes how to prepare an organism (transformant) that is transformed to express an Myb transcription factor. The brief description below mainly focuses on how to prepare a transformant that is transformed to express the above-mentioned Myb transcription factor. Once an Myb transcription factor-encoding gene to be introduced has been determined, such a transformant can be prepared by conventionally known methods.

Specifically, for example, a DNA containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, 27, or 29 (the base sequence of Myb6 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of Myb3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of EPR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana) is inserted downstream of a promoter of an appropriate expression vector using appropriate restriction enzymes and the like to prepare a recombinant DNA, which is then introduced into host cells compatible with the expression vector to obtain a transformant.

Although the above description relates to the cases where a DNA containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25, 27, or 29 (the base sequence of Myb6 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of Myb3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of EPR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana) is used, DNAs encoding other Myb transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana or Myb transcription factors from organisms other than Arabidopsis thaliana may be used. In such cases, screening may be performed by known techniques, such as using a part of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 as a probe, to identify and isolate such DNAs encoding the Myb transcription factors. The method for isolating a DNA molecule of interest using a DNA molecule as a probe is described in, for example, Molecular Cloning, 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989). DNAs obtained by mutagenesis of the DNAs mentioned above may also be used.

Any of microorganisms, yeasts, animal cells, insect cells, plant cells, and the like can be used as the host (host cells), as long as they are capable of expressing a gene of interest. Since the only organisms currently known to biosynthesize polyisoprenoids are plants (isoprenoid-producing plants), the host is preferably a plant (an isoprenoid-producing plant), and the host cells are preferably plant cells (cells of an isoprenoid-producing plant). Note that if a future advance in technology allows cells other than plant cells to biosynthesize polyisoprenoids, the gene encoding the Myb transcription factor can be suitably introduced into such cells.

The isoprenoid-producing plant is not particularly limited, as long as it is capable of producing an isoprenoid. Examples include plants of the genus Hevea, such as Hevea brasiliensis; plants of the genus Sonchus, such as Sonchus oleraceus, Sonchus asper, and Sonchus brachyotus; plants of the genus Solidago, such as Solidago altissima, Solidago virgaurea subsp. asiatica, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leipcarpa, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leipcarpa f. paludosa, Solidago virgaurea subsp. gigantea, and Solidago gigantea Ait. var. leiophylla Fernald; plants of the genus Helianthus, such as Helianthus annuus, Helianthus argophyllus, Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus debilis, Helianthus decapetalus, and Helianthus giganteus; plants of the genus Taraxacum, such as Taraxacum, Taraxacum venustum H. Koidz, Taraxacum hondoense Nakai, Taraxacum platycarpum Dahlst, Taraxacum japonicum, Taraxacum officinale Weber, and Taraxacum koksaghyz; plants of the genus Ficus, such as Ficus carica, Ficus elastica, Ficus pumila L., Ficus erecta Thumb., Ficus ampelas Burm. f., Ficus benguetensis Merr., Ficus irisana Elm., Ficus microcarpa L.f., Ficus septica Burm. f., and Ficus benghalensis; plants of the genus Parthenium, such as Parthenium argentatum, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Parthenium hysterophorus; and Lactuca serriola and Ficus benghalensis. In particular, the isoprenoid-producing plant is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of plants of the genera Hevea, Sonchus, Taraxacum, and Parhenium, and more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of Hevea brasiliensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Parthenium argentatum, and Taraxacum koksaghyz.

Examples of expression vectors that can be used include vectors that are capable of autonomous replication in the host cells or of being incorporated into a chromosome thereof and contain a promoter at a position that permits transcription of the recombinant DNA.

In the case where plant cells are used as host cells, a pBI vector, a pUC vector, a Ti plasmid or tobacco mosaic virus vector, for example, may be used as an expression vector.

Any promoter that functions in plant cells can be used. Examples include cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, rice actin-1 promoter, nopaline synthase gene promoter, tobacco mosaic virus 35S promoter, and rice actin gene promoter.

Preferred are expression vectors with promoters that are specifically expressed in tissues in which isoprenoid compounds are biosynthesized, such as laticifers. If the promoters are specifically expressed in tissues in which polyisoprenoids are biosynthesized, retardation of plant growth and other adverse effects can be prevented.

The recombinant vector can be introduced by any method that allows the DNA to be introduced into plant cells. Examples include methods using Agrobacterium (JP S59-140885 A, JP S60-70080 A, WO94/00977), electroporation (JP S60-251887 A), and methods using a particle gun (gene gun) (JP 2606856 B, JP 2517813 B).

Transformants (transgenic plant cells) into which has been introduced a gene encoding an Myb transcription factor can be prepared by these methods or the like.

The second aspect of the present invention provides an isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding an Myb transcription factor. The isoprenoid-producing plant is not particularly limited, as long as it is an isoprenoid-producing plant containing the transgenic plant cells. It is intended to include, for example, in addition to transgenic plant cells prepared by the above-described methods, all of their progeny or clones and even progeny plants obtained by passaging these cells. Once transgenic plant cells into which the DNA or vector has been introduced in the genome are obtained, progeny or clones can be obtained from the transgenic plant cells by sexual or asexual reproduction, tissue culture, cell culture, cell fusion, or the like. Further, the transgenic plant cells, or their progeny or clones may be used to obtain reproductive materials (e.g. seeds, fruits, cuttings, stem tubers, root tubers, shoots, adventitious buds, adventitious embryos, calluses, protoplasts), which can then be used to produce the isoprenoid-producing plant on a large scale.

Techniques to regenerate plants from transgenic plant cells are already known; for example, Doi et al. disclose techniques for eucalyptus (JP 2000-316403 A), Fujimura et al. disclose techniques for rice (Fujimura et al., (1995), Plant Tissue Culture Lett., vol. 2: p 74-), Shillito et al. disclose techniques for corn (Shillito et al., (1989), Bio/Technology, vol. 7: p 581-), Visser et al. disclose techniques for potato (Visser et al., (1989), Theor. Appl. Genet., vol. 78: p 589-), and Akama et al. disclose techniques for Arabidopsis thaliana (Akama et al., (1992), Plant Cell Rep., vol. 12: p 7-). Those skilled in the art can regenerate plants from transgenic plant cells according to these documents.

Whether a target transcription factor gene is expressed in a regenerated plant may be determined by well-known methods. For example, western blot analysis may be used to assess the expression of a target transcription factor.

Seeds can be obtained from the transgenic plant, for example, as follows: the transgenic plant is rooted in an appropriate medium and then transplanted to water-containing soil in a pot, and grown under proper cultivation conditions so as to finally produce seeds, which are then collected. Further, plants can be grown from seeds, for example, as follows: seeds obtained from the transgenic plant as described above are sown in water-containing soil, and grown under proper cultivation conditions into plants.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding an Myb transcription factor can be used in the production of polyisoprenoids to increase polyisoprenoid production. Specifically, polyisoprenoids can be produced by culturing transgenic plant cells prepared as described above, calluses obtained from such transgenic plant cells, cells redifferentiated from such calluses, or the like in an appropriate medium, or by growing transgenic plants regenerated from the transgenic plant cells, plants grown from seeds collected from such transgenic plants, or the like under proper cultivation conditions. In the isoprenoid-producing plant of the second aspect of the present invention, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced by the Myb transcription factor introduced therein, and therefore the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Thus, it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production.

The term “polyisoprenoid” as used herein is a generic term used to refer to polymers having isoprene (C₅H₈) units. Examples of polyisoprenoids include polymers such as monoterpenes (C₁₀), sesquiterpenes (C₁₅), diterpenes (C₂₀), sesterterpenes (C₂₅), triterpenes (C₃₀), tetraterpenes (C₄₀), and natural rubber.

As described above, in the second aspect of the present invention, which enables to regulate (enhance) the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase by an Myb transcription factor, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced, whereby the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Thus, it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production in the transformant.

Moreover, in the isoprenoid-producing plant of the second aspect of the present invention into which has been introduced a gene encoding an Myb transcription factor, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced by the Myb transcription factor introduced therein, and therefore the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Accordingly, the use of the isoprenoid-producing plant in the production of polyisoprenoids suitably increases polyisoprenoid production.

Thus, the method of the second aspect of the present invention, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the second aspect of the present invention, and the method for producing a polyisoprenoid of the second aspect of the present invention, all of which are capable of increasing polyisoprenoid production, can be effective for natural rubber source depletion that is of concern.

Third Aspect of the Present Invention

The present inventors have studied various ways to enhance the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. FIG. 1 shows a part of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. There are two known pathways, the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway (cytosol MVA pathway as shown in FIG. 1) and the MEP pathway (plastidial DXP pathway as shown in FIG. 1), for biosynthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), which is an important member of the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway.

The present inventors focused on the MVA pathway which is a common pathway that supplies IPP in rubber latex synthesis, and selected, from various proteins involved in the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, some proteins that are expected to have important roles in view of enhancing the pathway enclosed in the dotted line in FIG. 1. Further, they found out that, among these proteins, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) is a rate-limiting factor in the MVA pathway.

In order to regulate the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, the present inventors then sought a transcription factor capable of regulating the expression of HMG-CoA reductase. Specifically, a DNA fragment from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis which contains a gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase (the amino acid sequence of HMG-CoA reductase is set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO:47) (the base sequence of the gene is set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO:46) and its promoter region was cloned (see EXAMPLES for details). The base sequence of the resulting DNA fragment was analyzed to reveal the base sequence of the promoter region of the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase.

Additionally, the revealed base sequence of the promoter region was analyzed using a plant promoter database (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory DNA elements (PLACE)). The analysis revealed that the sequence contains a lot of basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor binding (recognition) sites (CANNTG).

These results strongly suggest that bHLH transcription factors are transcription factors capable of regulating the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, or in other words, transcription factors that enhance the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway and can thereby suitably regulate the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Then, a validation test using yeast cells was performed to confirm that the expression of HMG-CoA reductase is enhanced by the use of Myc2 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Myc2 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:40 and 41, respectively), ILR3 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of ILR3 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:42 and 43, respectively), or HFR1 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of HFR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:44 and 45, respectively) among bHLH transcription factors.

As described above, the present inventors have found that bHLH transcription factors can suitably enhance the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, and thus enhance the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway and can thereby suitably enhance the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Another finding is that since the bHLH transcription factors enhance the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway and can thereby suitably enhance the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, an isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding such a bHLH transcription factor can be used in the production of polyisoprenoids to increase polyisoprenoid production.

As used herein, “hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase)” is a rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonic acid pathway and is intended to include both hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (NADPH) (EC 1.1.1.34) and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.88).

The method of the third aspect of the present invention is a method for regulating the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase by a bHLH transcription factor.

The bHLH transcription factor is not particularly limited, as long as it is a transcription factor having a basic helix-loop-helix motif as a structural feature. Examples include Myc2 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of Myc2 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:40 and 41, respectively), ILR3 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of ILR3 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:42 and 43, respectively), and HFR1 (the base sequence and the amino acid sequence of HFR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:44 and 45, respectively).

The term “transcription factor” as used herein refers to a protein having an activity of increasing or decreasing (preferably increasing) the rate of transcription of a gene or genes.

The origin of the bHLH transcription factor is not particularly limited, but the bHLH transcription factor is preferably a transcription factor from Hevea brasiliensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Parthenium argentatum, Taraxacum koksaghyz, or Arabidopsis thaliana.

(Amino Acid Sequence of bHLH Transcription Factor)

The following protein [1] is a specific example of the bHLH transcription factor:

[1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, 43, or 45.

Moreover, it is known that some transcription factors have transcription factor activity even when one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, or additions are introduced into their original amino acid sequences. Considering this fact, another specific example of the bHLH transcription factor is the following protein [2]:

[2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, 43, or 45.

The term “transcription factor activity” as used herein refers to an activity of increasing or decreasing (preferably increasing) the rate of transcription of a gene encoding hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 119, still more preferably 1 to 89, particularly preferably 1 to 60, most preferably 1 to 30, even most preferably 1 to 12, and still even most preferably 1 to 6.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 47, still more preferably 1 to 35, particularly preferably 1 to 23, most preferably 1 to 12, even most preferably 1 to 5, and still even most preferably 1 or 2.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the number of amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 to 58, still more preferably 1 to 44, particularly preferably 1 to 29, most preferably 1 to 15, even most preferably 1 to 6, and still even most preferably 1 to 3.

Among other amino acid substitutions, conservative substitutions are preferred. Specific examples include substitutions within each of the following groups in the parentheses: (glycine, alanine), (valine, isoleucine, leucine), (aspartic acid, glutamic acid), (asparagine, glutamine), (serine, threonine), (lysine, arginine), (phenylalanine, tyrosine), and the like.

The amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions, and/or additions are preferably introduced into regions other than bHLH transcription factor activity domains, binding domains that bind to transcription factor binding sites, and other important portions involved in transcription factor activity. Those skilled in the art can appropriately identify such domains by homology analysis with known bHLH transcription factors.

It is also known that some proteins with amino acid sequences having high sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of a transcription factor also have similar activity. Considering this fact, another specific example of the bHLH transcription factor is the following protein [3]:

[3] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, 43, or 45.

For maintenance of transcription factor activity, the sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, 43, or 45 is preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, still more preferably at least 95%, particularly preferably at least 98%, and most preferably at least 99%.

The sequence identity between amino acid sequences or base sequences may be determined using the algorithm BLAST® [Pro. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 5873 (1993)] developed by Karlin and Altschul or FASTA [Methods Enzymol., 183, 63 (1990)].

Whether a protein has transcription factor activity may be determined by conventionally known techniques, such as gel shift assays, or reporter assays using a reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or the like.

The bHLH transcription factor is preferably any of the following proteins:

[1-1] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or 43;

[2-1] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or 43; and

[3-1] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 or 43.

The bHLH transcription factor is more preferably any of the following proteins:

[1-2] a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41;

[2-2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, insertions and/or additions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41; and

[3-2] a protein having transcription factor activity and having an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41.

(DNA Encoding bHLH Transcription Factor)

Moreover, the DNA encoding the bHLH transcription factor may be either of the following DNAs:

[1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44; and

[2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44.

In this context, the term “hybridizing” means a process in which the DNA hybridizes to a DNA having a particular base sequence or a part of the DNA. Thus, the DNA having a particular base sequence or part of the DNA may have a base sequence long enough to be usable as a probe in Northern or Southern blot analysis or as an oligonucleotide primer in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The DNA used as a probe may have a length of at least 100 bases, preferably at least 200 bases, and more preferably at least 500 bases although it may be a DNA of at least 10 bases, and preferably of at least 15 bases in length.

Techniques to perform DNA hybridization experiments are well known. The hybridization conditions under which experiments are performed may be determined according to, for example, Molecular Cloning, 2nd ed. and 3rd ed. (2001); Methods for General and Molecular Bacteriology, ASM Press (1994); Immunology methods manual, Academic press (Molecular); and many other standard textbooks.

The stringent conditions may include, for example, an overnight incubation at 42° C. of a DNA-immobilized filter and a DNA probe in a solution containing 50% formamide, 5×SSC (750 mM sodium chloride and 75 mM sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5× Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 μg/l denatured salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the filter for example in a 0.2×SSC solution at approximately 65° C. Less stringent conditions may also be used. Changes in the stringency may be accomplished through the manipulation of formamide concentration (lower percentages of formamide result in lower stringency), salt concentrations or temperature. For example, low stringent conditions include an overnight incubation at 37° C. in a solution containing 6×SSCE (20×SSCE: 3 mol/l sodium chloride, 0.2 mol/l sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.02 mol/l EDTA, pH 7.4), 0.5% SDS, 30% formamide, and 100 μg/l denatured salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing in a 1×SSC solution containing 0.1% SDS at 50° C. Moreover, to achieve even lower stringency, washes performed following hybridization may be done at higher salt concentrations (e.g. 5×SSC) in the above-mentioned low stringent conditions.

Variations in the above various conditions may be accomplished through the inclusion or substitution of blocking reagents used to suppress background in hybridization experiments. The inclusion of blocking reagents may require modification of the hybridization conditions for compatibility.

The DNA capable of hybridization under stringent conditions as described above may be a DNA having a base sequence that has at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 98%, and particularly preferably at least 99% sequence identity to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44 as calculated using a program such as BLAST® or FASTA with the parameters mentioned above.

Whether the DNA capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to the DNA mentioned above encodes a protein with transcription factor activity may be determined by conventionally known techniques, such as gel shift assays, or reporter assays using a reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or the like.

The DNA encoding the bHLH transcription factor is preferably either of the following DNAs:

[1-1] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or 42; and

[2-1] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 or 42.

More preferred is either of the following DNAs:

[1-2] a DNA having the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40; and

[2-2] a DNA encoding a protein with transcription factor activity and capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA having a base sequence complementary to the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40.

The bHLH transcription factor and the DNA encoding the bHLH transcription factor may be obtained by site-directed mutagenesis of, for example, the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44 (the base sequence of Myc2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of ILR3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of HFR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana) according to site-directed mutagenesis techniques described in Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1987-1997); Nucleic Acids Research, 10, 6487 (1982); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 79, 6409 (1982); Gene, 34, 315 (1985); Nucleic Acids Research, 13, 4431 (1985); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 488 (1985), etc.

(Transformant)

The gene encoding the bHLH transcription factor can be introduced into a host to create an organism (transformant) that is transformed to express the bHLH transcription factor. Then this transformant expresses the bHLH transcription factor, which regulates (enhances) the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Consequently, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced, whereby the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Thus, it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production in the transformant.

The following briefly describes how to prepare an organism (transformant) that is transformed to express a bHLH transcription factor. The brief description below mainly focuses on how to prepare a transformant that is transformed to express the above-mentioned bHLH transcription factor. Once a bHLH transcription factor-encoding gene to be introduced has been determined, such a transformant can be prepared by conventionally known methods.

Specifically, for example, a DNA containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44 (the base sequence of Myc2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of ILR3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of HFR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana) is inserted downstream of a promoter of an appropriate expression vector using appropriate restriction enzymes and the like to prepare a recombinant DNA, which is then introduced into host cells compatible with the expression vector to obtain a transformant.

Although the above description relates to the cases where a DNA containing the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, 42, or 44 (the base sequence of Myc2 from Arabidopsis thaliana, the base sequence of ILR3 from Arabidopsis thaliana, or the base sequence of HFR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana) is used, DNAs encoding other bHLH transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana or bHLH transcription factors from organisms other than Arabidopsis thaliana may be used. In such cases, screening may be performed by known techniques, such as using a part of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 as a probe, to identify and isolate such DNAs encoding the bHLH transcription factors. The method for isolating a DNA molecule of interest using a DNA molecule as a probe is described in, for example, Molecular Cloning, 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989). DNAs obtained by mutagenesis of the DNAs mentioned above may also be used.

Any of microorganisms, yeasts, animal cells, insect cells, plant cells, and the like can be used as the host (host cells), as long as they are capable of expressing a gene of interest. Since the only organisms currently known to biosynthesize polyisoprenoids are plants (isoprenoid-producing plants), the host is preferably a plant (an isoprenoid-producing plant), and the host cells are preferably plant cells (cells of an isoprenoid-producing plant). Note that if a future advance in technology allows cells other than plant cells to biosynthesize polyisoprenoids, the gene encoding the bHLH transcription factor can be suitably introduced into such cells.

The isoprenoid-producing plant is not particularly limited, as long as it is capable of producing an isoprenoid. Examples include plants of the genus Hevea, such as Hevea brasiliensis; plants of the genus Sonchus, such as Sonchus oleraceus, Sonchus asper, and Sonchus brachyotus; plants of the genus Solidago, such as Solidago altissima, Solidago virgaurea subsp. asiatica, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leipcarpa, Solidago virgaurea subsp. leipcarpa f. paludosa, Solidago virgaurea subsp. gigantea, and Solidago gigantea Ait. var. leiophylla Fernald; plants of the genus Helianthus, such as Helianthus annuus, Helianthus argophyllus, Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus debilis, Helianthus decapetalus, and Helianthus giganteus; plants of the genus Taraxacum, such as Taraxacum, Taraxacum venustum H. Koidz, Taraxacum hondoense Nakai, Taraxacum platycarpum Dahlst, Taraxacum japonicum, Taraxacum officinale Weber, and Taraxacum koksaghyz; plants of the genus Ficus, such as Ficus carica, Ficus elastica, Ficus pumila L., Ficus erecta Thumb., Ficus ampelas Burm. f., Ficus benguetensis Merr., Ficus irisana Elm., Ficus microcarpa L.f., Ficus septica Burm. f., and Ficus benghalensis; plants of the genus Parthenium, such as Parthenium argentatum, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Parthenium hysterophorus; and Lactuca serriola and Ficus benghalensis. In particular, the isoprenoid-producing plant is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of plants of the genera Hevea, Sonchus, Taraxacum, and Parhenium, and more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of Hevea brasiliensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Parthenium argentatum, and Taraxacum koksaghyz.

Examples of expression vectors that can be used include vectors that are capable of autonomous replication in the host cells or of being incorporated into a chromosome thereof and contain a promoter at a position that permits transcription of the recombinant DNA.

In the case where plant cells are used as host cells, a pBI vector, a pUC vector, a Ti plasmid or tobacco mosaic virus vector, for example, may be used as an expression vector.

Any promoter that functions in plant cells can be used. Examples include cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, rice actin-1 promoter, nopaline synthase gene promoter, tobacco mosaic virus 35S promoter, and rice actin gene promoter.

Preferred are expression vectors with promoters that are specifically expressed in tissues in which isoprenoid compounds are biosynthesized, such as laticifers. If the promoters are specifically expressed in tissues in which polyisoprenoids are biosynthesized, retardation of plant growth and other adverse effects can be prevented.

The recombinant vector can be introduced by any method that allows the DNA to be introduced into plant cells. Examples include methods using Agrobacterium (JP S59-140885 A, JP S60-70080 A, WO94/00977), electroporation (JP S60-251887 A), and methods using a particle gun (gene gun) (JP 2606856 B, JP 2517813 B).

Transformants (transgenic plant cells) into which has been introduced a gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor can be prepared by these methods or the like.

The third aspect of the present invention provides an isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor. The isoprenoid-producing plant is not particularly limited, as long as it is an isoprenoid-producing plant containing the transgenic plant cells. It is intended to include, for example, in addition to transgenic plant cells prepared by the above-described methods, all of their progeny or clones and even progeny plants obtained by passaging these cells. Once transgenic plant cells into which the DNA or vector has been introduced in the genome are obtained, progeny or clones can be obtained from the transgenic plant cells by sexual or asexual reproduction, tissue culture, cell culture, cell fusion, or the like. Further, the transgenic plant cells, or their progeny or clones may be used to obtain reproductive materials (e.g. seeds, fruits, cuttings, stem tubers, root tubers, shoots, adventitious buds, adventitious embryos, calluses, protoplasts), which can then be used to produce the isoprenoid-producing plant on a large scale.

Techniques to regenerate plants from transgenic plant cells are already known; for example, Doi et al. disclose techniques for eucalyptus (JP 2000-316403 A), Fujimura et al. disclose techniques for rice (Fujimura et al., (1995), Plant Tissue Culture Lett., vol. 2: p 74-), Shillito et al. disclose techniques for corn (Shillito et al., (1989), Bio/Technology, vol. 7: p 581-), Visser et al. disclose techniques for potato (Visser et al., (1989), Theor. Appl. Genet., vol. 78: p 589-), and Akama et al. disclose techniques for Arabidopsis thaliana (Akama et al., (1992), Plant Cell Rep., vol. 12: p 7-). Those skilled in the art can regenerate plants from transgenic plant cells according to these documents.

Whether a target transcription factor gene is expressed in a regenerated plant may be determined by well-known methods. For example, western blot analysis may be used to assess the expression of a target transcription factor.

Seeds can be obtained from the transgenic plant, for example, as follows: the transgenic plant is rooted in an appropriate medium and then transplanted to water-containing soil in a pot, and grown under proper cultivation conditions so as to finally produce seeds, which are then collected. Further, plants can be grown from seeds, for example, as follows: seeds obtained from the transgenic plant as described above are sown in water-containing soil, and grown under proper cultivation conditions into plants.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the isoprenoid-producing plant into which has been introduced a gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor can be used in the production of polyisoprenoids to increase polyisoprenoid production. Specifically, polyisoprenoids can be produced by culturing transgenic plant cells prepared as described above, calluses obtained from such transgenic plant cells, cells redifferentiated from such calluses, or the like in an appropriate medium, or by growing transgenic plants regenerated from the transgenic plant cells, plants grown from seeds collected from such transgenic plants, or the like under proper cultivation conditions. In the isoprenoid-producing plant of the third aspect of the present invention, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced by the bHLH transcription factor introduced therein, and therefore the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Thus, it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production.

The term “polyisoprenoid” as used herein is a generic term used to refer to polymers having isoprene (C₅H₈) units. Examples of polyisoprenoids include polymers such as monoterpenes (C₁₀), sesquiterpenes (C₁₅), diterpenes (C₂₀), sesterterpenes (C₂₅), triterpenes (C₃₀), tetraterpenes (C₄₀), and natural rubber.

As described above, in the third aspect of the present invention, which enables to regulate (enhance) the expression of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase by a bHLH transcription factor, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced, whereby the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Thus, it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production in the transformant.

Moreover, in the isoprenoid-producing plant of the third aspect of the present invention into which has been introduced a gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor, the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway is enhanced by the bHLH transcription factor introduced therein, and therefore the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is suitably enhanced. Accordingly, the use of the isoprenoid-producing plant in the production of polyisoprenoids suitably increases polyisoprenoid production.

Thus, the method of the third aspect of the present invention, the isoprenoid-producing plant of the third aspect of the present invention, and the method for producing a polyisoprenoid of the third aspect of the present invention, all of which are capable of increasing polyisoprenoid production, can be effective for natural rubber source depletion that is of concern.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be specifically described by reference to examples. The examples are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

First Aspect of the Present Invention

(Preparation of Promoter Sequence)

DNA fragments containing the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, or small rubber particle protein from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis (the base sequences of the genes encoding cis-prenyltransferase, HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, and SRPP are set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs:7, 9, 11, and 13, respectively) and its promoter were cloned in the following manner. First, genomic DNA was extracted from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis. The extraction was carried out using a commercial genomic DNA extraction kit. The genes with their promoter regions were amplified by TAIL-PCR using random primers shown as Primers 1 to 6 and primers corresponding to the genes.

Primer 1: 5′-ntcgastwtsgwgtt-3′ (SEQ ID NO:15)

Primer 2: 5′-ngtcgtswganawgaa-3′ (SEQ ID NO:16)

Primer 3: 5′-wgtgnagwancanag-3′ (SEQ ID NO:17)

Primer 4: 5′-sttntastnctntgc-3′ (SEQ ID NO:18)

Primer 5: 5′-sstggstanatwatwct-3′ (SEQ ID NO:19)

Primer 6: 5′-agwgnagwancanaga-3′ (SEQ ID NO:20)

The base sequences of the DNA fragments obtained using the primers were analyzed to obtain the promoter sequences of HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein. The base sequences of the promoter sequences of HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein are shown as SEQ ID NOs:21 to 24, respectively.

The promoter sequences were analyzed using a plant promoter database (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory DNA elements (PLACE)) (www.dna.affrc.go.jp/PLACE).

The analysis revealed that the sequences contain a lot of Dof transcription factor binding sites, and all the promoter sequences of the four genes analyzed are similarly rich in the DOFCOREZM (AAAG) motif to which Dof transcription factors bind. The number of DOFCOREZM motifs is the highest for HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, and SRPP, and the third highest for cis-prenyltransferase, among the transcription factor binding motifs found in each case.

(Amplification of Promoter Region)

As the promoter regions of the genes, the following regions were amplified by PCR.

HMG-CoA reductase promoter: −1 to −1500 bp, −1 to −1000 bp, and −1 to −500 bp

IPP isomerase promoter: −1 to −1000 bp, and −1 to −500 bp

Cis-prenyltransferase promoter: −1 to −500 bp

SmaIl rubber particle protein promoter: −1 to −1000 bp, and −1 to −500 bp

The PCR products were each cloned into pMD20T (Takara Bio, Inc.) to construct pMD20T-hmgpro (−1500), pMD20T-hmgpro (−1000), pMD20T-hmgpro (−500), pMD20T-ipppro (−1000), pMD20T-ipppro (−500), pMD20T-cptpro (−500), pMD20T-srpppro (−1000), and pMD20T-srpppro (−500). The inserted PCR products were sequenced to confirm that no mutation was introduced.

(Construction of Reporter Sequence-Containing Vector)

The plasmids constructed in (Amplification of promoter region) were restricted with SpeI and any of HindIII, KpnI and BamHI, and the promoter sequence fragments were individually incorporated at a site of pYES3/CT/LacZ from which the T7 promoter region had been removed, that is, immediately upstream of the lacZ reporter gene to construct pYES3-hmgprolacZ (−1500), pYES3-hmgprolacZ (−1000), pYES3-hmgpro (−500), pYES3-ippprolacZ (−1000), pYES3-ippprolacZ (−500), pYES3-cptprolacZ (−500), pYES3-srppprolacZ (−1000), and pYES3-srppprolacZ (−500). Ligation high ver. 2 (TOYOBO) was used for ligation.

(Construction of Vector for Gene Introduction into Yeast Chromosome)

The sequence from the SpeI site to the CYC1 transcription termination signal of each of the plasmids constructed in (Construction of reporter sequence-containing vector) was amplified by PCR, and the resulting fragments were restricted with SalI, SmaI, XbaI or SphI, thereby providing DNA fragments with the promoter sequences each linked to the lacZ gene. In order to allow the obtained DNA fragments to be inserted into a yeast chromosome, the DNA fragments were individually incorporated into pAUR101 DNA (Takara Bio, Inc.) treated with the same restriction enzymes to construct pAUR101-hmgprolacZ (−1500), pAUR101-hmgprolacZ (−1000), pAUR101-hmgpro (−500), pAUR101-ippprolacZ (−1000), pAUR101-ippprolacZ (−500), pAUR101-cptprolacZ (−500), pAUR101-srppprolacZ (−1000), and pAUR101-srppprolacZ (−500). Ligation high ver.2 was used for ligation as above.

(Acquisition of Transcription Factor Gene)

Next, PCR was performed using an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library as a template. The PCR produced the following three PCR fragments: At5g60850 (Dof5.4) (SEQ ID NO:1), At2g28810 (Dof2.2) (SEQ ID NO:3), and At5g60200 (Dof5.3) (SEQ ID NO:5). The obtained PCR products were each cloned into pMD20T to construct pMD20T-Dof5.4, pMD20T-Dof2.2, and pMD20T-Dof5.3. The inserted PCR products were sequenced to confirm that no mutation was introduced.

(Construction of Transcription Factor Expression Vector)

The plasmids constructed in (Acquisition of transcription factor gene) were restricted with SpeI, BamHI, or EcoRV, and the transcription factor genes were individually incorporated downstream of the TEF1 promoter region of p427TEF (COSMO BIO Co., Ltd.) to construct pTEF-Dof5.4, pTEF-Dof2.2, and pTEF-Dof5.3. Ligation high ver.2 was used for ligation.

(Transformation of Yeast)

The plasmids constructed in (Construction of vector for gene introduction into yeast chromosome) and (Construction of transcription factor expression vector) were introduced into yeast cells (BY4741 strain) by electroporation. Screening for transgenic yeast cells was carried out by culturing the yeast cells on a medium containing the antifungal antibiotics Aureobasidin A (Takara Bio, Inc.) and G418 (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

(Demonstration of Effect of Transcription Factor)

The transgenic yeast cells were cultured on a medium containing X-gal to assess the expression of lacZ due to transcription factor activity. Specifically, when the lacZ reporter gene, which is linked to the promoter sequence, is expressed, X-gal in the medium is then decomposed to develop a blue color. Based on this mechanism, if the medium turned blue, it was determined that lacZ was expressed due to transcription factor activity. This test was repeated 10 times. Table 1 shows how many times lacZ was expressed due to transcription factor activity.

TABLE 1 Transcription factor Control Promoter At5g60850 At2g28810 At5g60200 (No transcrip- sequence (Dof5.4) (Dof2.2) (Dof5.3) tion factor) hmg (−1500) 6 4 3 1 hmg (−1000) 4 3 1 1 hmg (−500) 3 1 1 0 ipp (−1000) 6 3 4 0 ipp (−500) 4 2 3 0 cpt (−500) 3 2 1 0 srpp (−1000) 8 5 4 2 srpp (−500) 5 3 2 1 Number of yeast cells that exhibited reporter gene activity (N = 10)

Table 1 shows that the use of At5g60850 (Dof5.4) (SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2), At2g28810 (Dof2.2) (SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4), or At5g60200 (Dof5.3) (SEQ ID NOs: 5 and 6), particularly At5g60850 (Dof5.4), enhanced the reporter gene activity. Moreover, At5g60850 (Dof5.4), At2g28810 (Dof2.2), and At5g60200 (Dof5.3) have proved to function as transcription factors for HMG-CoA reductase, IPP isomerase, cis-prenyltransferase, and small rubber particle protein because the longer the sequence of the promoter region was, the more often the reporter gene activity was expressed, or, in other words, the higher number of At5g60850 (Dof5.4)-, At2g28810 (Dof2.2)-, or At5g60200 (Dof5.3)-binding sites the promoter sequence contained, the more often the reporter gene activity was expressed. These results demonstrated that the introduction of At5g60850 (Dof5.4), At2g28810 (Dof2.2), or At5g60200 (Dof5.3), particularly At5g60850 (Dof5.4), into an isoprenoid-producing plant enhances the overall polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway and thus increases polyisoprenoid production.

Second Aspect of the Present Invention

(Preparation of Promoter Sequence)

A DNA fragment containing the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis (the base sequence of the gene is set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO:31) and its promoter was cloned in the following manner. First, genomic DNA was extracted from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis. The extraction was carried out using a commercial genomic DNA extraction kit. The gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase with its promoter region was amplified by TAIL-PCR using random primers shown as Primers 1 to 6 and primers corresponding to the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase.

Primer 1: 5′-ntcgastwtsgwgtt-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 33) Primer 2: 5′-ngtcgtswganawgaa-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 34) Primer 3: 5′-wgtgnagwancanag-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 35) Primer 4: 5′-sttntastnctntgc-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 36) Primer 5: 5′-sstggstanatwatwct-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 37) Primer 6: 5′-agwgnagwancanaga-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 38)

The base sequences of the DNA fragments obtained using the primers were analyzed to obtain the promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase. The base sequence of the promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase is shown as SEQ ID NO:39.

The promoter sequence was analyzed using a plant promoter database (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory DNA elements (PLACE)) (www.dna.affrc.go.jp/PLACE/).

The analysis revealed that the sequence contains a lot of Myb transcription factor binding (recognition) sites (WAACCA, CCWACC, CANNTG).

(Amplification of Promoter Region)

As the promoter region of the gene, the following regions were amplified by PCR.

HMG-CoA reductase promoter: −1 to −1500 bp, −1 to −1000 bp, and −1 to −500 bp

The PCR products were each cloned into pMD2 OT (Takara Bio, Inc.) to construct pMD20T-hmgpro (−1500), pMD20T-hmgpro (−1000), and pMD20T-hmgpro (−500). The inserted PCR products were sequenced to confirm that no mutation was introduced.

(Construction of Reporter Sequence-Containing Vector)

The plasmids constructed in (Amplification of promoter region) were restricted with SpeI and any of HindIII, KpnI and BamHI, and the promoter sequence fragments were individually incorporated at a site of pYES3/CT/LacZ from which the T7 promoter region had been removed, that is, immediately upstream of the lacZ reporter gene to construct pYES3-hmgprolacZ (−1500), pYES3-hmgprolacZ (−1000), and pYES3-hmgpro (−500). Ligation high ver. 2 (TOYOBO) was used for ligation.

(Construction of Vector for Gene Introduction into Yeast Chromosome)

The sequence from the SpeI site to the CYC1 transcription termination signal of each of the plasmids constructed in (Construction of reporter sequence-containing vector) was amplified by PCR, and the resulting fragments were restricted with SalI, SmaI, XbaI or SphI, thereby providing DNA fragments with the promoter sequences each linked to the lacZ gene. In order to allow the obtained DNA fragments to be inserted into a yeast chromosome, the DNA fragments were individually incorporated into pAUR101 DNA (Takara Bio, Inc.) treated with the same restriction enzymes to construct pAUR101-hmgprolacZ (−1500), pAUR101-hmgprolacZ (−1000), and pAUR101-hmgpro (−500). Ligation high ver.2 was used for ligation as above.

(Acquisition of Transcription Factor Gene)

Next, PCR was performed using an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library as a template. The PCR produced the following three PCR fragments: At4g09460 (Myb6) (SEQ ID NO: 25), At1g22640 (Myb3) (SEQ ID NO: 27), and At1g18330 (EPR1) (SEQ ID NO: 29). The obtained PCR products were each cloned into pMD20T to construct pMD20T-Myb6, pMD20T-Myb3, and pMD20T-EPR1. The inserted PCR products were sequenced to confirm that no mutation was introduced.

(Construction of Transcription Factor Expression Vector)

The plasmids constructed in (Acquisition of transcription factor gene) were restricted with SpeI, BamHI, or EcoRV, and the transcription factor genes were individually incorporated downstream of the TEF1 promoter region of p427TEF (COSMO BIO Co., Ltd.) to construct pTEF-Myb6, pTEF-Myb3, and pTEF-EPR1. Ligation high ver.2 was used for ligation.

(Transformation of Yeast)

The plasmids constructed in (Construction of vector for gene introduction into yeast chromosome) and (Construction of transcription factor expression vector) were introduced into yeast cells (BY4741 strain) by electroporation. Screening for transgenic yeast cells was carried out by culturing the yeast cells on a medium containing the antifungal antibiotics Aureobasidin A (Takara Bio, Inc.) and G418 (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

(Demonstration of Effect of Transcription Factor)

The transgenic yeast cells were cultured on a medium containing X-gal to assess the expression of lacZ due to transcription factor activity. Specifically, when the lacZ reporter gene, which is linked to the promoter sequence, is expressed, X-gal in the medium is then decomposed to develop a blue color. Based on this mechanism, if the medium turned blue, it was determined that lacZ was expressed due to transcription factor activity. This test was repeated 10 times. Table 2 shows how many times lacZ was expressed due to transcription factor activity.

TABLE 2 Transcription factor Control Promoter At4g09460 At1g22640 At1g18330 (No transcrip- sequence (Myb6) (Myb3) (EPR1) tion factor) hmg (−1500) 6 4 3 1 hmg (−1000) 4 2 1 1 hmg (−500) 3 2 1 0 Number of yeast cells that exhibited reporter gene activity (N = 10)

Table 2 shows that the use of At4g09460 (Myb6) (SEQ ID NOs: 25 and 26), At1g22640 (Myb3) (SEQ ID NOs: 27 and 28), or At1g18330 (EPR1) (SEQ ID NOs: 29 and 30), particularly At4g09460 (Myb6), enhanced the reporter gene activity. Moreover, At4g09460 (Myb6), At1g22640 (Myb3), and At1g18330 (EPR1) have proved to function as transcription factors for HMG-CoA reductase because the longer the sequence of the promoter region was, the more often the reporter gene activity was expressed, or, in other words, the higher number of At4g09460 (Myb6)-, At1g22640 (Myb3)-, or At1g18330 (EPR1)-binding sites the promoter sequence contained, the more often the reporter gene activity was expressed. These results demonstrated that the introduction of At4g09460 (Myb6), At1g22640 (Myb3), or At1g18330 (EPR1), particularly At4g09460 (Myb6), into an isoprenoid-producing plant enhances the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway, and thereby suitably enhances the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, and thus it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production.

Third Aspect of the Present Invention

(Preparation of Promoter Sequence)

A DNA fragment containing the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis (the base sequence of the gene is set forth in the sequence listing as SEQ ID NO: 46) and its promoter was cloned in the following manner. First, genomic DNA was extracted from leaves of Hevea brasiliensis. The extraction was carried out using a commercial genomic DNA extraction kit. The gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase with its promoter region was amplified by TAIL-PCR using random primers shown as Primers 1 to 6 and primers corresponding to the gene encoding HMG-CoA reductase.

Primer 1: 5′-ntcgastwtsgwgtt-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 48) Primer 2: 5′-ngtcgtswganawgaa-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 49) Primer 3: 5′-wgtgnagwancanag-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 50) Primer 4: 5′-sttntastnctntgc-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 51) Primer 5: 5′-sstggstanatwatwct-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 52) Primer 6: 5′-agwgnagwancanaga-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 53)

The base sequences of the DNA fragments obtained using the primers were analyzed to obtain the promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase. The base sequence of the promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase is shown as SEQ ID NO:54.

The promoter sequence was analyzed using a plant promoter database (a database of plant cis-acting regulatory DNA elements (PLACE)) (www.dna.affr.go.jp/PLACE/).

The analysis revealed that the sequence contains a lot of bHLH transcription factor binding (recognition) sites (CANNTG).

(Amplification of Promoter Region)

As the promoter region of the gene, the following regions were amplified by PCR.

HMG-CoA reductase promoter: −1 to −1500 bp, −1 to −1000 bp, and −1 to −500 bp

The PCR products were each cloned into pMD2 OT (Takara Bio, Inc.) to construct pMD20T-hmgpro (−1500), pMD20T-hmgpro (−1000), and pMD20T-hmgpro (−500). The inserted PCR products were sequenced to confirm that no mutation was introduced.

(Construction of Reporter Sequence-Containing Vector)

The plasmids constructed in (Amplification of promoter region) were restricted with SpeI and any of HindIII, KpnI and BamHI, and the promoter sequence fragments were individually incorporated at a site of pYES3/CT/LacZ from which the T7 promoter region had been removed, that is, immediately upstream of the lacZ reporter gene to construct pYES3-hmgprolacZ (−1500), pYES3-hmgprolacZ (−1000), and pYES3-hmgpro (−500). Ligation high ver. 2 (TOYOBO) was used for ligation.

(Construction of Vector for Gene Introduction into Yeast Chromosome)

The sequence from the SpeI site to the CYC1 transcription termination signal of each of the plasmids constructed in (Construction of reporter sequence-containing vector) was amplified by PCR, and the resulting fragments were restricted with SalI, SmaI, XbaI or SphI, thereby providing DNA fragments with the promoter sequences each linked to the lacZ gene. In order to allow the obtained DNA fragments to be inserted into a yeast chromosome, the DNA fragments were individually incorporated into pAUR101 DNA (Takara Bio, Inc.) treated with the same restriction enzymes to construct pAUR101-hmgprolacZ (−1500), pAUR101-hmgprolacZ (−1000), and pAUR101-hmgpro (−500). Ligation high ver.2 was used for ligation as above.

(Acquisition of Transcription Factor Gene)

Next, PCR was performed using an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library as a template. The PCR produced the following three PCR fragments: At1g63650 (Myc2) (SEQ ID NO: 40), At5g54680 (ILR3) (SEQ ID NO: 42), and At1g02340 (HFR1) (SEQ ID NO: 44). The obtained PCR products were each cloned into pMD20T to construct pMD20T-Myc2, pMD20T-ILR3, and pMD20T-HFR1. The inserted PCR products were sequenced to confirm that no mutation was introduced.

(Construction of Transcription Factor Expression Vector)

The plasmids constructed in (Acquisition of transcription factor gene) were restricted with SpeI, BamHI, or EcoRV, and the transcription factor genes were individually incorporated downstream of the TEF1 promoter region of p427TEF (COSMO BIO Co., Ltd.) to construct pTEF-Myc2, pTEF-ILR3, and pTEF-HRR1. Ligation high ver.2 was used for ligation.

(Transformation of Yeast)

The plasmids constructed in (Construction of vector for gene introduction into yeast chromosome) and (Construction of transcription factor expression vector) were introduced into yeast cells (BY4741 strain) by electroporation. Screening for transgenic yeast cells was carried out by culturing the yeast cells on a medium containing the antifungal antibiotics Aureobasidin A (Takara Bio, Inc.) and G418 (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

(Demonstration of Effect of Transcription Factor)

The transgenic yeast cells were cultured on a medium containing X-gal to assess the expression of lacZ due to transcription factor activity. Specifically, when the lacZ reporter gene, which is linked to the promoter sequence, is expressed, X-gal in the medium is then decomposed to develop a blue color. Based on this mechanism, if the medium turned blue, it was determined that lacZ was expressed due to transcription factor activity. This test was repeated 10 times. Table 3 shows how many times lacZ was expressed due to transcription factor activity.

TABLE 3 Transcription factor Control Promoter At1g63650 At5g54680 At1g02340 (No transcrip- sequence (Myc2) (ILR3) (HFR1) tion factor) hmg (−1500) 5 4 2 1 hmg (−1000) 2 2 1 1 hmg (−500) 2 1 0 0 Number of yeast cells that exhibited reporter gene activity (N = 10)

Table 3 shows that the use of At1g63650 (Myc2) (SEQ ID NOs: 40 and 41), At5g54680 (ILR3) (SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 43), or At1g02340 (HFR1) (SEQ ID NOs: 44 and 45), particularly At1g63650 (Myc2), enhanced the reporter gene activity. Moreover, At1g63650 (Myc2), At5g54680 (ILR3), and At1g02340 (HFR1) have proved to function as transcription factors for HMG-CoA reductase because the longer the sequence of the promoter region was, the more often the reporter gene activity was expressed, or, in other words, the higher number of At1g63650 (Myc2)-, At5g54680 (ILR3)-, or At1g02340 (HFR1)-binding sites the promoter sequence contained, the more often the reporter gene activity was expressed. These results demonstrated that the introduction of At1g63650 (Myc2), At5g54680 (ILR3), or At1g02340 (HFR1), particularly At1g63650 (Myc2), into an isoprenoid-producing plant enhances the rate-limiting step of IPP biosynthesis in the MVA pathway, and thereby suitably enhances the polyisoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, and thus it is possible to suitably increase polyisoprenoid production.

(Sequence Listing Free Text)

SEQ ID NO:1: base sequence of Dof5.4-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:2: amino acid sequence of Dof5.4 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:3: base sequence of Dof2.2-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:4: amino acid sequence of Dof2.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:5: base sequence of Dof5.3-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:6: amino acid sequence of Dof.5.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:7: base sequence of cis-prenyltransferase-encoding gene from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:8: amino acid sequence of cis-prenyltransferase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:9: base sequence of HMG-CoA reductase-encoding gene from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:10: amino acid sequence of HMG-CoA reductase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:11: base sequence of IPP isomerase-encoding gene from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:12: amino acid sequence of IPP isomerase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:13: base sequence of SRPP-encoding gene from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:14: amino acid sequence of SRPP from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:15: Primer 1

SEQ ID NO:16: Primer 2

SEQ ID NO:17: Primer 3

SEQ ID NO:18: Primer 4

SEQ ID NO:19: Primer 5

SEQ ID NO:20: Primer 6

SEQ ID NO:21: base sequence of promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:22: base sequence of promoter sequence of IPP isomerase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:23: base sequence of promoter sequence of cis-prenyltransferase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:24: base sequence of promoter sequence of SRPP from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:25: base sequence of Myb6-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:26: amino acid sequence of Myb6 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:27: base sequence of Myb3-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:28: amino acid sequence of Myb3 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:29: base sequence of EPR1-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:30: amino acid sequence of EPR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:31: base sequence of HMG-CoA reductase-encoding gene from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:32: amino acid sequence of HMG-CoA reductase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:33: Primer 1

SEQ ID NO:34: Primer 2

SEQ ID NO:35: Primer 3

SEQ ID NO:36: Primer 4

SEQ ID NO:37: Primer 5

SEQ ID NO:38: Primer 6

SEQ ID NO:39: base sequence of promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:40: base sequence of Myc2-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:41: amino acid sequence of Myc2 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:42: base sequence of ILR3-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:43: amino acid sequence of ILR3 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:44: base sequence of HFR1-encoding gene from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:45: amino acid sequence of HFR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO:46: base sequence of HMG-CoA reductase-encoding gene from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:47: amino acid sequence of HMG-CoA reductase from Hevea brasiliensis

SEQ ID NO:48: Primer 1

SEQ ID NO:49: Primer 2

SEQ ID NO:50: Primer 3

SEQ ID NO:51: Primer 4

SEQ ID NO:52: Primer 5

SEQ ID NO:53: Primer 6

SEQ ID NO:54: base sequence of promoter sequence of HMG-CoA reductase from Hevea brasiliensis 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An isoprenoid-producing plant, into which has been introduced a heterologous gene encoding a bHLH transcription factor, wherein the gene is either of the following DNAs: [1] a DNA comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:40; and [2] a DNA sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, and encoding a protein with transcription factor activity, wherein the isoprenoid-producing plant is one selected from the genera Hevea or Taraxacum.
 2. A method for producing a polyisoprenoid using the isoprenoid-producing plant according to claim
 1. 